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Finland Minnesota Community Guide

Location:

Situated in the Baptism River
valley along Minnesota State Highway 1, six miles inland from
Lake Superior, is Finland, Minnesota. This small community of
Finnish descent was carved out of the rugged wilderness in the
1890's.

Today the Heart of the Arrowhead is bustling
with business and beauty. It is the home to many restaurants,
lodging facilities, and recreational opportunities. With the
wealth of lakes and trails in the Finland area, the only problem
is deciding what to do first. Fishing, camping, snowmobiling,
skiing, dog sledding, and many other outdoor sports are
available. Many of the lodging establishments also feature true
Finnish saunas.

The community of Finland is a small, unincorporated
town settled mainly by Finnish immigrants in 1895 located 6 miles inland
from Lake Superior's North Shore on Minnesota State Highway 1. The
community of Finland's governing body is Crystal Bay Township. The
community of Finland is located within the Finland State Forest in Lake
County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Crystal
Bay Township has a total area of 210.2 square miles (544.5 km≤), of
which, 203.7 square miles (527.5 km≤) of it is land and 6.6 square miles
(17.0 km≤) of it (3.12%) is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 607 people, 235
households, and 165 families residing in the township.
The population density was 3.0 people per square mile
(1.2/km≤). There were 350 housing units at an average
density of 1.7/sq mi (0.7/km≤). The racial makeup of the
township was 98.68% White, 0.33% African American, 0.16%
Asian, 0.66% from other races, and 0.16% from two or
more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of
the population.

There were 235 households out of which
35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them,
59.6% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a
female householder with no husband present, and 29.4%
were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up
of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was
65 years of age or older. The average household size was
2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township the population was
spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18
to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and
9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.4
males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were
108.6 males.

The median income for a household in
the township was $35,000, and the median income for a
family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $42,031
versus $21,429 for females. The per capita income for
the township was $14,161. About 7.6% of families and
9.7% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those
age 65 or over.

FINLAND, a village in section 20 of Crystal Bay
Township (T. 57N, R. 7W), was developed primarily by Finnish immigrants,
who began coming to the area about 1895, although the place name was not
noted until about 1911. The Alger-Smith logging railroad extended
through the community in 1907; its post office began in 1915; it was the
site of a CCC camp, 1933-38, and an Air Force station, 1950-80. The
Duluth and Northern Minnesota Railroad station was in section 17.

The Finland Minnesota Historical
Societyís vision for the Heritage Site is to provide area
residents and visitors, from near and far, with the opportunity
to both celebrate and experience the settlement history of
eastern Lake County, with special emphasis and focus on the
regionís pioneer families.

The Superior National Forest was established
on February 13, 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt. One of the
largest Forests in the national forest system, the Superior
boasts a unique and rich legacy that has been largely influenced
by its boreal forest ecosystem and glacially-carved landscape
with myriad inter-connected waterways.

View of the Baptist River in Finland Minnesota,
2007LakesnWoods.com Photo

Crooked Lake Resort is for the family who
loves the beauty of the spruce - pines - cedars - birch - clear
lakes - hiking - fishing - hunting - winter activities - "The
quietness of the Northwoods", at it's finest - well enough -
"To use an outdoor Toilet" - "Carry water from a pump to
your cabin" - "Sit by a wood burning heater, and listen to the
whisper of the pines".

Crooked Lake Resort is for the family who
loves the beauty of the spruce - pines - cedars - birch - clear
lakes - hiking - fishing - hunting - winter activities - "The
quietness of the Northwoods", at it's finest - well enough -
"To use an outdoor Toilet" - "Carry water from a pump to
your cabin" - "Sit by a wood burning heater, and listen to the
whisper of the pines".

The Finland Minnesota Historical
Societyís vision for the Heritage Site is to provide area
residents and visitors, from near and far, with the opportunity
to both celebrate and experience the settlement history of
eastern Lake County, with special emphasis and focus on the
regionís pioneer families.

There are many clear lakes and streams to
provide great fishing. The area abounds with wildlife too
numerous to list. Don't forget the hiking and berry picking or
just relax in our serene environment. And, of course, the autumn
leaf colors are beyond words. Snowmobiling is without comparison
as the area offers hundreds of miles of well groomed trails.

West
Branch Bar & Grill formerly known as the Apollo is located on
the beautiful West Branch of the Baptism River in Finland, MN.
The West Branch has been carrying on the original 1950's
tradition of making the famous Apollo Pizza, plus many other
delicious menu items including home made daily specials.